1. **State the problem:** Investigate the relationship between net force, mass, and acceleration using an experimental setup with a trolley, pulley, and hanging masses. 2. **Variables:** - Independent variable: Mass of the hanging pieces (which changes the net force). - Dependent variable: Acceleration of the trolley. - Main constant variable: Mass of the trolley (except for the hanging mass). 3. **Investigative question:** How does the net force applied to the trolley affect its acceleration? 4. **Purpose of hanging mass:** The hanging mass creates a net force due to gravity ($F_{net} = mg$) that pulls the trolley, allowing us to study how force affects acceleration. 5. **Calculating acceleration:** From the velocity vs time graph, acceleration is the gradient (slope) of the velocity-time curve: $$a = \frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}$$ 6. **Calculate net force:** $$F_{net} = m_{hanging} \times g$$ where $g = 9.8$ m/s$^2$. 7. **Calculate acceleration for each trial:** Use the velocity-time data to find the gradient for each mass setup. 8. **Plot acceleration vs net force:** The graph should show acceleration on the y-axis and net force on the x-axis. 9. **Determine gradient of acceleration vs force graph:** The gradient represents $\frac{a}{F_{net}} = \frac{1}{m_{total}}$, where $m_{total}$ is the total mass of the system. 10. **Conclusion:** Acceleration is directly proportional to net force and inversely proportional to mass, consistent with Newton's second law: $$F_{net} = m \times a$$ This means increasing force increases acceleration, and increasing mass decreases acceleration.